If you get the Warm Home Discount (a benefit for pensioners and people on a low income), check whether the new supplier offers it - you’ll lose it if they don’t.

If you’ve applied for the Warm Home Discount but not yet got it, you'll have to apply again if you switch supplier. Your new supplier might have different rules about who gets it. This doesn’t apply if you get the Warm Home Discount automatically.

Choosing the right tariff

There are different factors you should consider about energy tariffs to find the right one for you.

For example, you might want:

a flexible tariff that you can get out of at any time

an environmentally-friendly tariff

the cheapest tariff available

You may also need a specific tariff for the energy meter you have - for example, if you have a prepayment meter or ‘dual rate’ meter.

Once the switch has started, you’ll also need to give the new supplier your energy meter reference numbers, known as ‘MPRN’ or ‘MPAN’ numbers. This will make sure they switch your energy supply and not someone else's. You can find these numbers on your energy bill.

How long it should take to switch

Switching to a new supplier should take around 17 days, but often takes up to 3 weeks.

The new supplier should contact you to tell you what day your supply should be switched. If you're switching both gas and electricity, these will normally happen on different dates.

If it takes longer than 17 days, contact the supplier to find out why. You can make a complaint if you’re not happy with their explanation. Some energy companies are signed up to the Energy Switch Guarantee - if your company is signed up but not sticking to the rules, you can mention this in your complaint.

Changing your mind about switching supplier

Once you enter into a contract with the new supplier (this could be done verbally on the phone), you have 14 days to change your mind and cancel the switch. You should contact the new supplier to let them know.